[Infowarrior] - Œ Star Wars ¹ is 30 years old today

[Richard Forno]

Geeks of the world, unite in celebration and Jedi tomfoolery this weekend!
:)    -rf

ŒStar Wars¹ is 30 years old today; but is the Force as strong as it once
was?
By JOHN LUDWIG
Published: Thursday, May 24, 2007 7:57 PM CDT
http://www.maryvilledailyforum.com/articles/2007/05/24/news/news1.txt

jludwig at maryvilledailyforum.com

It defines the idea of "a cinematic experience" for millions of people
worldwide, and today marks the 30th anniversary of the theatrical release of
"Star Wars."

When it was first released May 25, 1977, the little space-opera-that-could
opened in only 40 theaters across the country. Since that day, the film has
made countless people believe in the power of the force and unnumbered young
boys daydream of being a Jedi Knight (and, if you were truly honest with
yourself, you could admit that as an adult you would still rather be a Jedi
Knight than whatever profession you're employed in).

According to Nate Rice, assistant manager of Movie Magic in Maryville, Star
Wars still has incredible staying power, both in Hollywood and in the minds
of fans around the globe.

"Star Wars, even though it's 30 years old, is still having a great impact in
our entertainment," Rice said.

That impact has been so far reaching that the History Channel will air a
documentary special this Sunday, "Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed,"
highlighting the film franchise and its 30-year history while focusing on
various real world historical and cultural elements that inspired potions of
the film, such as the influence of Japanese samurai on the role of the
ever-popular lightsaber.

For many, seeing director George Lucas' Star Wars in the theater was akin to
a life-changing moment, and the History Channel's special will include
interviews with people who were influenced by the film in some way.

Political pundit Steven Colbert and former NBC anchor Tom Brokaw are just
two of the people interviewed for the program, and both talk of the impact
the film had on them when they first saw it in theaters.

The Star Wars films have become known for their groundbreaking special
effects, which helped to add realism to a very fictional world.

"The graphics from Star Wars just set a precedence that allowed future space
movies to start from, because Lucas created a lot of graphics just for the
movie," Rice said. "We might look back and think that some of them are lame,
but at the time they were mind boggling."

With impressive space scenes, interstellar dogfights, a deep history and its
mythological themes, Star Wars has managed to recapture the hearts and minds
of each new generation that experiences the films.

"It's the ultimate story, good versus evil, the underdog triumphing over the
big giant," Rice said. "You've got friendship, you've got love,
responsibility, you've got errors, religious beliefs, and it just keeps
going because of those factors. It's just an epic story."

And in celebrating its 30th anniversary, there seems to be no slowing down
for the popularity of the saga. Movies, video games, books and virtually
everything you can think of has bore the Star Wars logo over the years; but
despite all the hype and all the marketing, the movies, and the stories
behind them, are still touching movie-goers and still sparking the
imaginations of people around the world.

Some movies make a big splash and then disappear from the radar, but Star
Wars has tapped the country's consciousness in such a way that it has become
as much a part of Americana as baseball and apple pie. It's a movie that has
proven again and again that it has staying power, even after six films and
30 years.

Indeed, the Force is strong with this one.